Combination lock



Sept. 23, 1952 G. E. BERRY ET AL 2,611,259

COMBINATION LOCK Filed Sept. 12, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 INVENTORJ George 2'. .Bgrrg nd Gordon, 0. fizdbn gs.

38 azu yn l, M*%S Sept, 1952 G. E. BERRY ET AL 2,611,259

COMBINATION LOCK Filed Sept. 12, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR6 3 Gear 6.5.367'1 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 23, 1952 COMBINATION LOCK George E. Berry and Gordon 0. Ridings,

Washington, D. C. 1

Application September 12, 1949, Serial No. 115,142

The invention relates generally to lock structures, and more particularly to lock structures the opening of which are controlled by manipulation of hand actuated combinationcontrols, and it primarily seeks to provide certain new and useful improvements in such structures effective to provide a lock which is substantially foolproof and burglarproof.

Lock structures of the character stated are controlled in whole or in part by manipulation of a multiple of tumblers having edge gates therein which must be brought into alignment to permit the shiftin of the locking bolt or some element connected therewith to the lockopening position. Many such lock structures of the character stated have been foundunsatisfactory in use'because 'of' the complex nature of the structure'and the resulting difliculty experienced in manufacturing and using them, "and others because they lend themselves readily to tampering and burglarizing by unauthorized persons. It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a lock structure of the character stated which is simple and eflicient in construction and operation, and which will frustrate attempts at unauthorized opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock structure of the character stated wherein means is provided for avoiding'contact of bolt or lug parts with the tumblers while they are being manipulated to bring the receiving gates of the tumblers in line, thereby making it impossible for an unauthorized person to detect arrival of said tumbler clearances at the receiving point by the senses of touch or hearing.

Another object of the invention is to provide alock structure of the character stated wherein key or knob operated means are provided for moving the bolt or lug into the tumbler gates after they have been brought into alignment, and means operated by turning of the dial after the bolt or lug has been so moved into the tumbler gates to turn said dial and the connected tumblers and shift the locking bolt to the open position. v

' Another object of the invention is to provide a-lock structure of the character stated wherein the component parts can be quickly and'conveniently assembled and disassembled.

In the drawings With the above and other objects inview that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly: understood by'reference' to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8 Claims. (Cl. Iii-284) Figure '1 is a front elevation illustrating the invention." v

Figure 2 is a central vertical cross section through the improved lock structure;

Figure 3 is a face view of the tumbler and'lock bolt support assembly, the lock bolt beingshowri in the locking position.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 with the side plate of the tumbler and lock bolt support assembly removed and the lock bolt shifted to the release or open position.

Figure 6 isfa rear elevation of the lock structure with the tumbler and lock bolt supportas sembly and the tumblers removed therefrom.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of the lug carrying plate. e

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the lock bolt.

Figure 9 is a detail side elevation of the lug plate actuator.'-- v Figure 10 is a right end elevation of the lug plate actuator;

Figure 11 is a front tumbler. V V

Figure 12 is a rear elevation of the tumbler shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a front elevation of the interme iate tumbler.

Figure 14 isa rear elevation of the tumbler shown in Figure 13. 7

Figure 15 is a front elevation of the foremost tumbler.

Figure 16 is a rear elevation of the tumbler shown in Figure 15. v

Figure 17 is a fragmentary rear elevation show ing the plate lug in its retracted position in full lines, and as engaging in the tumbler housing flange opening so as to lock the tumbler cup against rotation in dotted lines.

In the example of embodiment of the inventio herein disclosed, the improved lock structure is shown affixed to a door or door panel 5 having a circular opening 6 therethrough about which is mounted a dial ring or plate I, said ring or plate being secured to the door or panel in any approved manner, as by the screws 8. The dial plate 1 is equip ed with a bevelled peri heral portion 9 on which is formed a dial stop indicator mark or notch ID in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 1. g

The aperture 6 opens into a circular casing or housing ring [2 having an apertured front closure plate 13 secured thereto, as by screws lfl,

the assembly elevation of the rearmost 7 and being in turn secured, as by screws IE, to the rear face of the door or panel 5. The housing ring l2 has a circular chamber defining center bore l6 and also a counterbore or recess I! in which to removably receive a tumbler and lock bolt support assembly generally designated l8 and which is illustrated in detail in Figures 3 and 4. The support assembly It may be removably secured in the housing ring recess in the manner illustrated in Figure 2 by screws I9.

The tumbler and lock bolt support assembly I 8 illustrated in detail in Figures 3 and 4 comprises a back plate 20, intermediate plate means 2| shaped to provide a lock bolt slideway 22, a second, chambered intermediate plate 23, a face plate 24 and supported parts, said plate being fixed together in assemblv relation as by riveting, welding, brazing or the like.

The face plate 24 is pressed forwardly at its central portion as at 25 to form an actuator head chamber between the same and the opposing intermediate plate 23, and a hollow center hub 26 is secured to the forwardly pressed central portion 25 of the plate 24 and projects forwardly therefrom in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The hub 26 may be'equippedwith longitudinal notches or grooves Z'I-disposed at-the sides thereof for the purpose of retaining tumbler spacing washers against rotation, and said hub may also be equipped with an annular, snap ring receiving groove 28. The hub 26 serves as a support for therotatable tumblers to be referred to hereinafter, and said tumblers are rotatably and removably retained on the hub through the medium of a snap ring mounted in the groove 28.

Alock bolt 23 which may take the form illustrated in detail inFigure 8 is slidablein-the slideway 22 provided in the intermediate plate means 2| and in the guides 30 provided therefor in the housing ring l2. The lock bolt has a pin 3| projecting therefrom, and the purpose of this pin will become apparent as the description progresses.

The chambered plate 23, best shown in Figure 5, is equipped with an elongated opening 32 which intersects the center of the plate, and saidopening is provided with arcuate xtensions 33. The opening 32 and its extensions 33 serve to accommodate placement and movement of the lug plate 34 which is illustrated in detail in Figure 7 and in its operatively mounted position in Figures 3 and 5. The lug plate is equipped with a .forwardlyextending lug 35, and also with a longitudinal slot 36 and a transverse slot 31. When the lug plate 34 is in assembly in the lockstructure as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, the lower end portion thereof is engaged by a leaf spring 38 mounted on the chambered plate 23 and which constantly tends to move the plate and the lug 35 thereon radially outwardly when the plate is in the chamber opening 32 as illustrated in Figure 23..

The dial 39 of the usual construction is provided and includes a cylindrical hollow center hub portion '40 which is rotatable within the flanged bearing ll formed on the dial ring or plate '1. The hub 40 also includes a reduced di ameter cylindrical hub portion 4| which-extends through the central aperture 6 ofthe door or panel 15, and from this reduced ,hub portion 4| a non-circular inner end extension 42 projects into the chamber within the housing ring 12 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 601 the drawings. 7 r

The center bore of the dial hub 40 rotatably supports the stem 43 of a lug plate actuator in- 4 cluding a circular head 44 which is operable in the chamber formed behind the central portion 25 of the face plate 24. An actuator or crank pin 45 projects rearwardly from the head 44, and at its front end the stem includes a non-circular portion 46 to receive an actuator key or knob. The operative position of the lug plate actuator is illustrated in Figure 2, and this element is illustrated in detail in Figures 9 and 10.

A tumbler cup 41, best illustrated in Figures 2 and 6 is rotatably mounted in the chamber formed within the housing ring [2, and said cup is formed to include a cylindrical, tumbler housing flange, 48, and also a flange 49 extending radially beyond the cylindrical flange 48. The tumbler cup alsois equipped with a non-circular center opening 50 adapted to snugly receive the 1101'11011'011131 end extremity 42 of the dial hub, the cup being removably secured on said noncircular end extremity through the mediumof a snap ring 51 removably mounted in a receiving groove formed in said end extremity. IA tumbler driving lug 52projects rearwardly from therear, inner face of the cup 4'! in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 6, the flange 48 is provided with a lug receiving opening 53 and the rear or inner face of the cup .is provided with a lug clearance or recess 54 extending radially inwardly from the flangeopening 53. It will also be apparent by reference to Figure -6 that the housing ring 12 is provided with a clearance or recess 55 in which to receive the plate lug 35 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

Tumblers56, 51 and 58, preferably of the key adjustable type, are removably and rotatably mounted .on the tumbler and lock bolt-support assembly hub v2t through the medium of a snap purpose and operation of this conventional type of tumbler is Well known to workers in theart and it will be readilyapparent that by rotation of the dial 39 and the connected .cup 41,.the several tumblers can be sequentially set to bring the pe-. ripheral edge notches or gates 62 formed thereon into the ,zero positionyor in other words in the aligned position in which the plate lug 35 may be moved downwardly out of the housing ring recess 55 and into the cup recess 54 and said tumbler gates 62. .It will be apparent that so long as the plate lug 35 remains projected in the position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 it will be impossible to move the plate in a direction for shifting the lock bolt 29 from its locking position illustrated in Figure 3 to its unlocked or opened position shown in Figure 5. It will also be apparent that whenever the tumblers have been sequentially set to align the edge notches or gates 62 thereof "with and directly beneath the plate lug 35, partial rotation of the stem 43 by application of a knob or key on the non-circular end 46 thereof will serve to move the head plate-M and cause the pin 45 projecting into the plate slot 31 to move said plate inwardly so as to retract the lug 35 from the plate slot 63 and the housing recess 55 and place the same in the tumbler gates 62. This having been accom-f plish'ed it is only necessary to turn the dial 39 a limited distance in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 1 and 3, and thismovement will cause the cup 31 to turn and shift the lug plate 34 therewith, the arcuate-clearance 64 in the face plate 24 permitting the necessary movement of the plate lug 35; It will be obvious that as the plate 34 is caused to turn with the cup 41 from the position illustrated in Figure 3 to the position illustrated in Figure'5, the engagement of the lock bolt pin 3| in the plate slot 36 will cause the lock bolt 29 to be shifted from its locking position illustrated in Figure 3 to'its unlocked-p0 sitlon-illustrated in Figure 5.

The improved lock structure is foolproof. Should an attempt be made to shift the plate lug 35 downwardly through the cup opening53' before all of the tumblers are lined up, the lug will engage in the slot -or opening 53 and as shown in dotted lines in Figure 17 by reason of its engagement in the housing ring clearance 55 also will lock the cup and the attached parts against rotational movement. It is to be understood, of course, that the cup flange clearance;

53 is lined up with the zero marking on the dial 39.

It will be apparent by reference to Figure 2 that by reason of the provision of the cup flange 48 and the radial flange extension 49 it is'impossible to burglarize the lock. Shouldan attempt be made to drill the lock structure so as to effect an unauthorized entry, the hole drilled for the purpose of viewing the tumblers by aid of lights would only allow a view of the tumbler at the drilled hole. Moreover, should an attempt be made to move the dial to find the tumbler gates, the instruments or the tools would have to be removed before the dial and cup could be turned. I

It should also be apparent that the plate lug 35 is normally held outwardly of the cup'flange 48 by the spring 38, and during the manipulation of the tumblers this lug is in no position to drag over the tumblers so as to enable a person seeking to make an unauthorized entry to detect the lug alignment positioning of the tumblers by touch or by hearing.

While one form of the invention has bee shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as deflnedin the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a combination lock, a housing, a lock bolt shiftable between locking and open positions on said housing, means including rotatable tumbler means, a hand operable dial and a tumbler means housing cup for controlling the shifting of said bolt, means for causing the cup to rotate with the tumbler means in eifecting a shifting of the bolt, said cup having a front wall presented toward the dial, a cylindrical flange overlying and housing the tumblers, and a flange extending outwardly beyond said cylindrical flange as a continuation of said front wall.

2. In a combination lock, a housing, a lock bolt shiftable between locking and open positions on said housing, a plurality of rotatable tumblers having edge gates therein and means including a hand operable dial for rotating the tumblers to present all tumbler edge gates in alignment, a plate having pin and slot connection with said tumblers by manipulation of the dial movement may be imparted to said plate' effective-to shift said lock bolt.

3. Lock structure as defined in claim 2 in-which there is included a rotor forminga partof the drive couple between the dial and the tumblers and including a cylindrical flange overlying the tumblers and having an opening therein through I which the plate lug may be moved into the aligned tumbler clearances, the casing including edge gates in whichsaid lug normally is positioned out of contact with the tumblers and said flange, and said lug being engageable in -said casing clearance and flange opening to lock the flange and tumblers against rotation "should effort be made to engagethe' lug with the turn blers and rotatethem without bringing the tum-' bler edge gates into alignment.

4. Lock structure as defined in claim 2 in which there is included a tumbler housing cup forming apart of the drive couple between the 'dial'and the tumblers and having a rmm wall presented toward the dial, a cylindrical flange overlying and housing the tumblers, and a flange extend ing outwardly beyond said cylindrical flangeas a continuation of said front wall. 5

5. Lock structure as defined in claim 2 in which there is included a tumbler housing cup forming a part of the drive couple between the dial and the tumblers and having a front wall presented toward the dial, a cylindrical flange overlying and housing the tumblers and having an opening therein through which the plate lug may be moved into the aligned tumbler edge gates, and a flange extending outwardly beyond said cylindrical flange as a continuation of said front wall, the casing including a clearance in which said lug normally is positioned out of contact with the tumblers and said flange, and said lug being engageable in said casing clearance and flange opening to lock the flange and tumblers against rotation should effort be made to engage the lug with the tumblers and rotate them without bringing the tumbler edge gates into alignment.

6. Lock structure as deflned in claim 2 in which the plate is elongated in shape and overlies the axis of the tumblers and is connected with the lock bolt by a pin projecting from said bolt into a longitudinal slot formed in said plate, said plate also having a transverse slot therein, and in which the means for shifting the plate to cause the lug to engage in the aligned tumbler edge gates comprises a key operable stem having a crank pin thereon engaging in the transverse slot in said plate.

'7. Lock structure as defined in claim 2 in which there is included a tumbler housing cup forming a part of the drive couple between the dial and the tumblers and having a front wall presented toward the dial, a cylindrical flange overlying and housing the tumblers and having an opening therein through which the plate lug may be moved into the aligned tumbler edge gates, and a flange extending outwardly beyond said cylindrical flange as a continuation of said front wall,

the'casing including a clearance in which said lug normally is positioned out, 'of' contact with the tumblers and said flange, and said lug being engageable in said casing clearance and flange opening to lock the flange and tumblers :against rotation should effort be made to engage the lug with the tumblers and rotate them without bringing the tumbler edge gates into alignment, in which the plate is elongated in shape and overlies the axis of the tumblers and is connected with the lock bolt by a pin projecting from said bolt into a-longitudinal slot formed in said plate, said plate also having a transverse slot therein, and in which the means for shifting the plate to cause the lug to engagein the aligned tumbler edge-gates comprises a key operable stem having a-crank pin thereon engaging in the transverse slot in said plate.

- 8. Lock structure as defined in-claim 2 in which there is included a tumbler housing cup forming apart of the drive couple between the dial and the tumblers and having a front wall presented toward the dial, a cylindrical flange overlying and housing the tumblers and havingan opening therein through which the plate lug may be moved into the aligned tumbler edge gates, and a flange extending outwardly beyond said cylindrical flange as a continuation of said front wall, thecasing including a clearance in which said lug normally is positioned out of contact with the tumblers and said flange, and said lug being engageable in said casing clearance and flange opening to lock the flange and tumblers against rotation should effort be made to engage the lug with the tumblers and rotate them without bringing the tumbler edge gates into alignment, in

8 which the plate is elongated in shape-and overlies'the' axis of the tumblers and is connected with the lock bolt by a pin projecting from said bolt into alongitudinal slot formed in said plate, said plate also having a transverse slot therein, and in which the means .for shifting the plate to cause the lug to engage in the aligned tumbler edge clearances comprises a key operable stem having a crank pin thereon engaging in the transverse slot in said plate, there also being included a back plate and a front plate from which a hub projects to form a support for the tumblers, and intermediate plate means chambered to form a guide for the lock bolt and housing for the lug plate and the crank pin, said front and back andintermediate plate means and saidstem and crank pin and lug plate and lock bolt comprisinga unit assembly removably mounted on the casing.

- GEORGE E. BERRY.

GORDON C. RIDINGS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Australia July '7, 1938 

